Multiple divider



NQV, 21, 1933. F. FRANKENBERG MULTIPLE DIVIDER Filed May 27, 1932 7 JMQ JMM INVENTOR IS ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 21, 1933 PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE DIVIDER Fred Frankenberg, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application May 27, 1932. Serial No. 613,859

1 Claim.

This invention relates to multiple dividers and gang cutters which are adapted to divide a sheet or surface into equal parts or to cut them into a plurality of equal parallel strips.

It is the particular object of this invention to provide an instrument which is light in weight, small enough in size to be conveniently carried in a pocket and simple in construction to be man- 7 ufactured and sold at a very reasonable price.

With these and other objects in view which will become clearer as the appended description progresses, the invention resides in a novel combination of parts and details of construction shown in the accompanying drawing, which forms a material part of this disclosure and are finally pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my multiple divider in closed or compacted position.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1 when it is opened and with the rotary cutters attached thereon, to be used as a gang cutter.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of Fig. 1 in the direction of arrows 33 of that figure.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the sliding guide piece 14 as seen in the direction of arrows 4-4 of Fig. 3.

, Figure 5 is an enlarged detail elevation in direction of arrows 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of one detachable cutter with holder on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Figure 7 is a detail section on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the multiple dividers consists of a plurality of parallel flat bars 11 which are movably joined to each other by a plurality of shorter, angular bars 12 to form a lazy tong arrangement. In theclosed position of Fig. 1 the upper ends of bars 12 are at the upper "ends of bars 11 but the lower ends of bars 11 project a considerable distance below those of bars 12 and are pointed at their ends to be used as markers. On the upper portion of each bar 11 is mounted a sleeve-like guide piece 14 to which two bars 12 having opposite inclinations are rotatably fastened by means of a pivot pin 13 (see Fig. 5) which has a flat head within guide 14 leaning against the face of bar 11. The lower ends .of each couple of bars 12 are rotatably fastened to one bar 11 by means of a pivot pin 15 which is fixed in said bar. Each couple of angular bars 12 cross each other in the middle of the space between two adjacent bars 11 and are there joined to each other by a pivot pin 16. To the left end bar 11 of Figs. 1 and 2 a horizontal bar 17 is fastened by means of a removable pivot pin 18 and extends along the rear faces of all bars and through a guide bracket 19 on the right end bar 11. This bracket is provided with a clamping screw 20 to lock all bars in fixed position when opened to any desired distance. To use this device as a gang cutter I have provided the cutter attachments shown in Figs. 2 and 6 which consist each of a knife holder made preferably of sheet metal and having a guide 21 adapted to slide onto 66 the lower pointed ends of bars 11 to be clamped thereto by a clamping screw 22. That part of the knife holder which projects beyond the pointed ends of bars 11 is formed into a fork 23 which carries a pivot pin 24 on which rotary cutter 26 7 is mounted. At the bottom end of guide 21 a stop 25 is provided to abut against the points of bars 11 and permit all cutter axes 24 to be adjusted in alinement.

Attention should also be called to some details of construction of this device which assure its reliable and smooth operation which is particularly due to the construction of sliding guide 14 which joins and guides the upper ends of each couple of angular bars 12. The sleeve of guide 14 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 covers an appreciable length on each bar 11 and therefore avoids binding. The lower face of guide 14 is slotted along the center line of bar 11 and as the material is resilient it presses gently against this bar, the opposite surface of which leans against the head 13a of pivot pin 13 which is preferably made of antifriction metal.

This device may be used to divide a sheet of cake or candy into a plurality of strips of equal width by simply pulling the bars 11 apart to a desired distance between them and then looking bar 1'? by means of screw 20 to prevent the shifting of bars 11 while the divider is in use. The points of bars 11 may then be used for marking equidistant lines on any surface which has to be divided. Should it be desired to cut strips of the divided sheet then the knife attachments shown in Fig. 6 should be used. This is done by slipping the sleeve portion 21 onto the lower ends of bars 11 until the stop 25 touches the point of 1 0 bar 11. The clamping screw 22 should then be tightened and the sheet of cake or candy may be cut into parallel strips of equal width by means of the cutters 26.

While I have illustrated the attachment 21 as a knife holder other instruments may of course usefully be attached to bars 11 in similar manner as for instance ruling pens or pencils to draw lines on paper or the like equidistant from each other. It shall therefore be understood that while the preferred form of my device has been described hereinabove, as an example of the many ways of constructing it, that such changes may be made in the arrangement of parts and the construction of minor details thereof, as come within the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

In a device of the character described, a plurality of elongated bars disposed in parallel relationship, a central transverse bar mounting said elongated bars, a pair of lazy tongs disposed between said elongated bars and having their end portions pivotally and slidably attached to the elongated bars, split sleeve members on said elongated bars for guiding the movement of the sliding ends of the lazy tongs, means on the transverse bar to lock the lazy tongs in adjusted position and an elongated sleeve mounted on one end of each elongated bar and adapted to slide therealong, cutting members rotatably mounted on the ends of said elongated sleeves and means for adjustably securing the elongated sleeves to the elongated bars.

FRED FRANKENBERG. 

